Accompanied by WikiLeaks reps, Snowden delivered his statement to human rights organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow today.

"That moral decision to tell the public about spying that affects all of us has been costly, but it was the right thing to do and I have no regrets," Snowden said.

"Since that time, the government and intelligence services of the United States of America have attempted to make an example of me, a warning to all others who might speak out as I have.

"I have been made stateless and hounded for my act of political expression. The United States government has placed me on no-fly lists.

"Countries around the world have offered support and asylum. These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Ecuador, have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations.

"No state has a basis by which to limit or interfere with my right to enjoy that asylum. As we have seen, however, some governments in Western European and North American states have demonstrated a willingness to act outside the law.

"This unlawful threat makes it impossible for me to travel to Latin America and enjoy the asylum granted there in accordance with our shared rights.

"I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted.

"I will be submitting my request to Russia today, and hope it will be accepted favourably."